Klark Teknik DN514 Plus User manual

Klark Teknik Group,
Klark Teknik Building,
Walter Nash Road,
Kidderminster.
Worcestershire.
DY11 7HJ.
England.
Tel:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.klarkteknik.com
OPERATORS MANUAL
DN514
DN514 Plus Quad Autogate Operators Manual
Issue 1.1 - September 2004DOC02-DN514+
(c) Klark Teknik Group (UK) PLC.
In line with the company’s policy of continual improvement, specifications and function may be
subject to change without notice. This Operators Manual was correct at the time of writing. E&OE.

IEC-60065-Edn7-KT
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
These symbols are internationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazards with
electrical products.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any of the ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturers
instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not
fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments / accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
13. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus is damaged in
any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
WARNING:TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
AVIS:RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire. DY11 7HJ. England
Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone]
Company Registration No: 2414018
abc abc
SIGNAL PROCESSING BY DEFINITION DESIGNEDFOR APUREPERFORMANCE
Product Type Number Product Description Nominal Voltage (s) Current Freq
DN514 Plus Quad Auto Gate 115V AC 200mA
100mA
50/60Hz
230V AC
Date: 15th September 2003
A Subsidiary of Telex communications, Inc.
Directive(s) Test Standard(s)
89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
amended by 92/31/EEC & 93/68/EEC 73/23/EEC,
Low Voltage Directive, amended by 93/68/EEC
Generic Standard Using EN55103 Limits and Methods EN50081/1
Class B Conducted Emissions Pavi EN55103
Class B Radiated Emissions Pavi EN55103
Fast Transient Bursts at 2kV EN61000-4-4
Static Discharge at 4kV EN61000-4-2
Electrical Stress Test EN60204
UL6500-99
EN60065:1998
E60065-00
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
We,
of, Klark Teknik Building, Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 7HJ
Declare that a sample of the following product:-
to which this declaration refers, is in conformity with the following directives and/or standards:-
Signed:............................
Name: Simon Harrison
Authority: Research and Development Director, Klark Teknik Group (UK) PLC
Attention!
Where applicable, the attention of the specifier, purchaser, installer or user is drawn to special limitations of use
which must be observed when these products are taken into service to maintain compliance with the above
directives. Details of these special measures and limitations to use are available on request and are available
in product manuals.
Klark Teknik Group (UK) PLC

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The Klark Teknik DN514 1
After you unpack 3
Introduction 5
Instrument Familiarisation
Connections 9
Using the DN514 11
Application notes
Linking to the Console 17
Basic Gating
Advanced Applications
Technical Specification 23
Front panel controls 7
Rear panel controls 8
Setting the Controls 12
Side Chain Filter 13
External Key 14
Synchronisation 15
Music PA 18
Conference PA 18
Use with Compressors 18
Tape Noise 17
Midi Systems 17
Gated Reverb 20
Instrument Synchronisation 21
Envelope Shaping 22
Gating Vocals 22
Contents

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1
Thank you for selecting the Klark Teknik DN514 Plus Quad Autogate. The unit continues the Klark Teknik
tradition of providing superb audio performance, technical accuracy and rugged reliability.
Do not install this unit in a location subjected to excessive heat, dust or mechanical vibration.
Connection is made by means of an IEC standard power socket. The rear panel text indicates the voltage range
required for satisfactory operation of the unit
.
Before connecting this unit to the mains supply, ensure the fuse fitted is the correct type and rating is as
indicated on the rear panel, adjacent to the fuse holder.
This unit is fitted with a standard fused IEC mains inlet: For safety reasons the earth lead should never be
disconnected.
To prevent shock or fire hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. To avoid electrical shock do not
remove covers. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
This product should only be used with high quality, screened twisted pair audio cables, terminated with metal
bodied 3-pin XLR connectors. Any other cable type or configuration for the audio signals may result in
degraded performance due to electromagnetic interference.
Should this product be used in an electromagnetic field that is amplitude modulated by an audio frequency
signal (20Hz to 20kHz), the signal to noise ratio may be degraded. Degradation of up to 60dB at a frequency
corresponding to the modulation signal may be experienced under extreme conditions (3V/m, 90%
modulation).
Precautions
Voltage Selection and Power Connection
Safety Warning
Attention! Cables
Electric Fields
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The Klark Teknik DN514

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3
After You Have Unpacked The Unit
Save all the packing materials - they will prove valuable should it become necessary to transport or ship this
product.
Please inspect this unit carefully for any signs of damage incurred during transportation. It has undergone
stringent quality control inspection and every possible effort has been made to ensure that it left the factory in
perfect condition.
If, however, the unit shows any signs of damage, please notify the transportation company without delay.
Only you, the consignee, may institute a claim against the carrier for damage during transportation.
If necessary, contact your supplier or as a last resort, your Klark Teknik importing agent, who will fully co-
operate under such circumstances.
This
Side Up
KIDDERMINSTER ENGLAND

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Noise gating is a powerful technique for improving the clarity of a mix, whether in music PA work,
conference PA, or in the studio. But as the number of channels in multi track recording increases, and as the
microphone arrangement used in live sound becomes more complex, so the noise gate rack increases in size
and takes longer to set up.
The Klark Teknik DN514 Plus Quad Auto Gate has been designed to enable the studio or PA engineer to
greatly improve the quality of sound achievable, by gating out unwanted background clutter or tape hiss,
quickly and simply. The configuration of four gates per nineteen inch rack unit doubles the normal noise gate
packing density.
Noise gates have traditionally been difficult to set up correctly to give dependable triggering and to give
optimum background noise reduction. The QuadAuto Gate uses intelligent design to reduce the
time spent in setting up.
Two semi automatic Attack modes, one dedicated to percussion, eliminate the need for a rotary Attack
control. Hold time is scaled to the setting of the Release Time control, giving reliable gate closure without the
'jitter' that can often take careful adjustment of controls to remove.
Afeature important to the live sound engineer, where microphones may be placed close to each other and pick
up instruments other than the one intended, is Frequency Conscious Gating. A low frequency and high
frequency rotary controls on each channel tune the keying circuitry of the gate to a precise frequency range.
The gate only opens for the intended instrument and not when the microphone picks up sounds of other
frequencies from neighbouring instruments.
The Sync function is similar to the channel link on conventional stereo noise gates, but here it is possible to
interlock the release times of four channels of gating to synchronise harmony vocals or a brass or string
section. Key inputs allow gate triggering by sources other than the signal passing through the gate. A Side
Chain Monitor switch allows the engineer to monitor the Key signal, whether internal or external, and to
monitor the effect of the gate's filters.
Lights provide visual confirmation of gate open/closed status, and also allow monitoring of the Release
profile. Agate bypass switch is provided for each channel, and also a master bypass to facilitate setting up.
DN514 Plus
Introduction

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Instrument Familiarisation: Front Panel Controls
The DN514 Plus QuadAuto Gate consists of four identical channels and a master control section.
1. determines the level at which the gate will open, variable from -40dBu to +20dBu. A light
indicates when the threshold level has been exceeded and the gate is open.
2. (Attack) is semi automatic, with switchable Slow and Fast modes. Slow mode is intended for
use with most instruments and vocals. Fast is optimised for instruments with a fast attack time such as
precussion.
3. is adjustable from 40 milliseconds to 2 seconds. Hold time (the time the gate will remain
fully open before release) is scaled to the value of release time chosen. A light indicates via its
brightness the release profile.
4. applies low frequency filtering to the side chain of the gate from 20Hz to 5kHz, with a roll-off rate
of 12dB per octave.
5. applies high frequency filtering to the side chain of the gate from 20kHz down to 80Hz, with a roll-
off rate of 12dB per octave.
6. (Threshold) light indicates when the gate is open.
7. shows the release profile of the gate.
8. switches the gate in or out of circuit, working as a true Bypass.
9. switches the Ext Key signal to the S/C input to allow the gate to be triggered by an external
signal instead of the main signal.
10. switches the output of the side chain filter to the audio output of the gate, allowing the
engineer to assess the effects of the LF and HF filters.
11. forces the VCA's of all four gates to zero attenuation, effectively switching the unit out of
circuit.
12. links the release times of all four gates. Any one gate entering release mode will cause other
open gates to release at an equivalent rate, irrespective of the setting of their Release controls.
13. switches mains power on or off.
Threshold
ATK
Release
LF
HF
THD
REL
In
EXT/KEY
Monitor
Bypass
Sync
Power
1
6782
34512
10 11 13
9

NEUTRIK NEUTRIK NEUTRIK
NEUTRIK
12
3
12
3
12
3
NEUTRIK
1
2
3
NEUTRIK
1
2
3
NEUTRIK
1
2
3
NEUTRIK
PUSH
1
2
3
115/220-240V
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14. is supplied via an IEC standard 3-pin connector. A compatible power cord is supplied with the
unit.
15. The is located next to the mains inlet connector. Always replace with the correct type and
rating as indicated on the unit.
16. This unit is switchable between two nominal supply voltages, 110V and
220V, via a slide switch. The switch MUST be set before the supply is connected. Any attempt to run
the unit from a 220V supply with the switch set to 110V is liable to result in severe damage to the unit.
17. is made via a female XLR type connector.
18. is available on a male XLR type connector. For wiring details see page of this
manual.
19. is made via a ¼ inch typeA stereo jack connector.
20. Always quote the in any correspondence concerning the unit.
Mains
mains fuse
Voltage selector switch.
Signal Input
Signal Output
External Side Chain Input
Serial Number
Note: Units for the Japanese market do not have an accessible mains voltage selector switch and are set for 100V
operation only.
9
Instrument Familiarisation: Rear Panel Controls
15 16
18
14
20
19
17

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Audio Connections
Input
Output
The input circuit is a transformerless, electronically balanced design which achieves a symmetry of better
than- 50dB from 20Hz to 10kHz.
If transformer balancing of the input is required, this must be specified at the time of order. It is not
retrofittable.
The standard output is unbalanced, but balancing transformers are available and may be retrospectively
fitted. Please contact your Klark Teknik representative for more information. The output circuitry is capable
of driving a 600 ohm load at a level of +22dBu.
21
3
12
3
21
3
12
3
1 Gnd
2 Gnd
3 Hot
1 Gnd
2 Gnd
3 Hot
1 Gnd
2 Cold
3 Hot
1 Gnd
2 Cold
3 Hot
Input
Output
Unbalanced
Unbalanced
Balanced
Balanced
Pin 2 / Pin 3 Hot Operation
The unit is configured for pin 3 hot operation but can be re-configured to the standard pin 2 hot XLR wiring
convention. This is done by changing the internal jumpers located next to the connectors on the PCB from a
horizontal to a vertical configuration, as illustrated below. Please contact your Klark Teknik service
representative for further details, if required.
Pin 3 hot Pin 2 hot

Side Chain/EXT Key Inputs
Balanced Circuits
The electronically balanced Side Chain inputs are on stereo ¼ inch typeA jack sockets, configured:
TIP = HOT, RING = COLD, SLEEVE = EARTH.
Inserting a mono jack plug will automatically unbalance the input.
The sockets are internally normalled so that signal continuity is maintained when there is no jack plug
inserted. If the unit is wired to a patchbay, then normalling must be carried out at the patchbay.
Transformer or electronically balanced connections have the benefit of Common Mode Rejection which
eliminates externally induced interference, such as mains hum etc. Balancing is especially useful when long
cable runs are used between pieces of equipment.
Transformer balanced circuits have the added advantage of being fully floating, with the earth (ground) or
screen being totally isolated from the signal. In installations where a difference in earth potential is likely to
occur, this isolation prevents earthing problems which can, in some cases, damage the equipment.
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In Thru Out
1/4” Stereo Jack
HOT
COLD
GND

Signal Level
Signal Level
Threshold level
Snare
Time
Time
Background noise
Gate closed Gate closed Gate closed
Open Open
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Using the DN514
Even in situations where there are many interacting sound sources we seem to be able to 'tune in' on the sounds
we want to hear and reject others. This sometimes known as the 'cocktail party effect' where it is possible to
pick out one person's voice even at a distance from many conflicting conversations.
The microphone is less selective in its pick up, being sensitive to ALL sounds within its range and coverage
angle. For example, a microphone set to pick up the snare drum of a drum kit will pick up every other drum
and cymbal to some extent, and probably the bass guitarist as well. When several microphones are positioned
on the kit, each one giving a good sound on its own particular drum, they will all pick up unwanted
instruments as well, making the sound less clear.
One solution to this problem is to use a noise gate on each microphone. The gate will reduce the output from
the microphone to almost zero when the drum is silent, yet will open practically instantaneously when the
drum is played. As the sound from the drum decays, the gate will close again and reject noise from the rest of
the kit.
The Threshold level represents the sound level at which the gate will open.Any sound exceeding the threshold
triggers the gate. Sounds at lower levels leave the gate closed and the microphone will be almost completely
silent.
Diagram 1

Signal Level
Signal Level
Signal Level
Snare
Piano
Natural Decay Natural Decay
Release too fast Release too fast
Smooth release Short release time
Time
Time
Time
Time
Time
Time
The DN514 Plus is a high performance quad noise gate, yet its design makes operation extremely simple.
Most important are the , , and controls.
sets the level at which the gate will open. Turning the control clockwise lowers the threshold level
and allows quieter signals through. To set the threshold level, it is best to start off with the control fully
clockwise. Then turn it anti-clockwise, cutting out more and more noise, until the gate just starts to affect the
signal you want to hear. Backing off around 5dB from this point will give a good threshold level for reliable
triggering.
is set semi automatically. Aswitch selects between two modes of operation, Slow and Fast.
sets the time it takes for the gate to close for the VCA to go from zero attenuation to almost infinite
attenuation. The release time should be set to correspond with the decay of the signal. For instance, the sound
from a drum decays very quickly, a sustained note on a piano takes much longer. The optimum release time is
when the gate closes fast enough to prevent any noise from getting through, yet smoothly enough not to cut off
the sound of the instrument prematurely.
Two lights indicate the activity of the gate. (Threshold) illuminates when the gate is open.
indicates, by its level of brightness, the release profile of the gate. To help in setting up the gate, these lights
illuminate even when the gate is bypassed.
Threshold Attack Release
Threshold
Attack
Release
THD REL
Diagram 2
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Setting the Controls